The man accused of robbing, then shooting a Nebraska Furniture Mart employee in the store parking lot was seen in Douglas County Court Monday morning.

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 1:21 PM CDT May 15, 2017

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT 36TH AND LAUREL.WE'RE LIVE WITH THIS CRIME STOPPERS ALERT. >> DESPITE TIME AND PROXIMITY, POLICE ARE NOT CONNECTING TWO MURDERS, TWO PEOPLE WHO HAD NO TROUBLE WITH THE LAW GUNNED DOWN, LEAVING FAMILY AND NEIGHBORS TO WONDER WHY.>> THERE IS NOBODY THERE TO COMFORT HIM.IT WAS SAD. >> ASIA LIVES NEAR 36TH AND LAUREL, AROUND 2:30, SHE WOKE UPTO THE SOUND OF COP CARS, THEN SAW A MAN, MOTIONLESS AND SURROUNDED BY SHELL CASINGS. >> TO HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSEIS CRAZY. >> POLICE SAY THE 28-YEAR-OLD PASSED AWAY AT THE SCENE.HIS FAMILY SAYS HE GRADUATED FROM OMAHA NORTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, BUT SAY IT NEVER HELD HIMBACK.BUT AN HOUR BEFORE HE DIED, GUNFIRE ABOUT A MILE AWAY, THIS TIME, NEAR 33 AND FOWLER, WHERE NEIGHBORS HEARD ABOUT 10 SHOTS. >> IT SUCKS.SOMEONE GOT SHOT.IT'S COMMON HERE.>> IT'S A SAD REALITY FOR NEIGHBORS TO WITNESS, BUT POLICEHOPE IF THEY SAW SOMETHING THEY'LL SAY SOMETHING. >> A LOT OF COMMUNITIES ARE TIRED OF THE VIOLENCE AND CRIME.>> HE SAYS HELPFUL WITNESSES SOLVE CASES AND THAT LED TO SEVERAL ARRESTS. >> THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT THEY WANT THIS VIOLENCE TO STOP.>> NOW, THEY NEED HELP AGAIN.BECAUSE 33 AND FOWLER IS WHERE SOMEONE KILLED A 27-YEAR-OLD DARNISHA MITCHELL LEAVING QUESTIONS AND BROKEN HEARTS. >> ALL EVERYBODY HAS TO DO IS JUST, YOU KNOW, PRAY. >> WE HEARD FROM THE FAMILY LATETONIGHT.HE SAYS HE PREVAILED DAILY AND HAD A HEART OF GOLD.HERE IS A REMINDER THAT YOU CAN SHARE IT WITH POLICE WITHOUT

The man accused of robbing, then shooting a Nebraska Furniture Mart employee in the store parking lot was seen in Douglas County Court Monday morning.

Ryan Blaha, 20, waived his preliminary hearing.

He is being held at Douglas County Corrections on multiple charges, including 1st-degree felony assault, robbery and firearms charges from the incident back in January.

Blaha is held on a $1.5 million bond.

He is due back in court next month.

Advertisement

UPDATE: Bond has been set for the man arrested in connection with a shooting near Nebraska Furniture Mart.

A judge set bond at $1.5 million for Ryan Blaha, 19, who was booked into Douglas County Corrections on charges of first-degree felony assault, two counts of attempted felony assault, three counts of use of a weapon to commit a felony and robbery, the Omaha Police Department said in a news release.

In court Wednesday, prosecutors told the judge Blaha had robbed a victim at the Nebraska Furniture Mart before shooting that victim in the back. Prosecutors said Blaha then shot at two other people. They said the victim's wallet was found at Blaha's home, and there is video evidence of Blaha trying to burn the victim's property. Prosecutors also said Blaha had been researching serial killers Charles Starkweather and Jeffrey Dahmer.

Police reports KETV NewsWatch 7 acquired Friday indicate that after Blaha opened fire near Nebraska Furniture Mart, he drove to Baker's Supermarket on Saddle Creek and stole a bottle of vodka.

Baker's employees reported the incident Thursday. According to the report, security cameras captured Blaha driving a green Ford Explorer to Baker's just minutes after the shooting, around 4:45 a.m., walk inside the store, conceal a 750 ml bottle of vodka under his coat, and leave without paying.

Prosecutors also said, the victim in this shooting, 37-year-old Jared Clawson, has had multiple surgeries and is still fighting for his life. A GoFundMe account has been created for Jared Clawson here.

The investigation is ongoing. The judge ordered Blaha have no contact with Clawson or the witnesses in this case.

Blaha's attorney said he will not be able to bond out of jail.

Previous coverage:

Omaha police are investigating a shooting in the Nebraska Furniture Mart parking lot.

Detectives said Jared Clawson, 37, and another man arrived at work about 4:40 a.m. Wednesday when someone shot Clawson.

The eyewitness described the shooter as a tall, thin, white man with shaggy blonde hair. He also said the gunman took off in a 1995-2001 green Ford Explorer.

Nebraska Furniture Mart store manger, Scott Baker described Clawson as a hard worker, loyal, family man and a terrific guy.

"It's our Furniture Mart family. He's part of that and has been for a long time, " said Baker. He said Clawson has worked as a building engineer for more than ten years.

"He's good with his hands and tools and he's strong. He's a strong-willed guy and a real gentleman, too, " Baker said. He said building engineers fix and maintain the heating, air conditioning, electrical system. "All those things to make sure this place is nice for customers and safe for customers."

Baker said Nebraska Furniture Mart is offering the Employee Assistance Program and counselors for the 1700 co-workers coping with the violence. He said they are paying particular attention to Clawson's team and held a special meeting with them.

Baker has no idea why someone shot Clawson. He wants customers to know they are safe. Police are investigating all motives. "There is the possibility it is a robbery, but it's too early to tell until after the victim is treated and hopefully can give us some information, " Lt. Enrico Ramos said.

Baker said Clawson, a father of two, is surrounded by his family at the hospital.

"He has a large family. We wanted them to know we are here to support him and do what we could do for them. They're huddled in and can only do what they can do for now, which is mostly waiting," said Baker.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers at 402-444-STOP, at www.omahacrimestoppers.org. or on the P3 Tips mobile app.